GM, Ford, FCA Restore Plants Closed by COVID-19

May 18, 2020

Thousands of autoworkers are back to work as the Detroit Three start building vehicles again. They have been home from work since late March due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but production must resume. Now the companies are restarting plants throughout North America.

"Some people are looking forward to coming back and some people are concerned. It's a balance between the two," said Bernie Ricke, president of UAW Local 600, which represents workers at the Ford Rouge complex.

"I think the companies are doing everything they can to protect people's health and safety," he said Sunday, noting that workers at Dearborn Truck will work two 10-hour shifts when they usually work three shifts building the popular Ford F-150 pickup.

Ford, General Motors and Fiat Chrysler have implemented new safety protocols that include thermal scanning for high temperatures, daily employee surveys that screen for symptoms, face masks.